logo
Splaine: What would you do if you only had one week to live?

Splaine: What would you do if you only had one week to live?

Yahoo13-07-2025
It's summer. It's time to work and play. Our Seacoast area lets us do a lot of each. But, balancing the two isn't easy. Most of us have to work for a living. And most of us haven't figured a way to make loads of money, so we have to work a long part of our lives. For ourselves. For our families. To buy stuff.
Liking what we do for work. Many of us fall into a rut and take jobs that are the same old grind every day. We get up, have the same old regular breakfast, put on the same old regular clothes, then go to work for 8 to 10 hours or so and return home tired. Admit it − we've all had jobs like that, if only temporarily for a few months or a year until we found something better.
It's great when we find something we like to do, and make a living doing it. Looking forward to waking up each morning and going to work is a special reward that doesn't belong to everyone, but when it happens you've hit the jackpot. A good mantra is: "Work to live, don't live to work." There's so much in this world to explore and see and do in addition to work.
"The Deathbed Exercise." That brings us to the real subject of this column, and that's to encourage you to take a little exercise. It's quite simple. No "yes" or "no" answers. No scores assigned. It's self-evaluation.
Some years ago I conducted workshops on a variety of topics for businesses and organizations. Topics included stress management, time management, customer service, dealing with workplace conflicts, and diversity training. But the workshop I personally enjoyed doing most, and which was very popular, was what I called "The Deathbed Exercise."
I didn't invent it. Go online and you'll see lots of versions of deathbed exercises which get people to focus on what's important in their lives. But the approach I took in my workshops was a bit different, and much more personal.
Whether you're 25, 55 or 85, this exercise can be thought-provoking for you. Start by putting yourself into a mindset that you have only another week to ten days to live. We'll all end up there someday, so don't be scared of the thought. Consider that you're comfortable on your "deathbed," surrounded by family and friends, and you have the luxury of a few more days to think about your thousands of memories and the work you've accomplished, and the family and friends you love.
Not everyone is equal in this equation − inequality of life is part of the formula we signed up for being born. Our own lives may be short or may be long. But each of us had our joys and happiness as well as our struggles and tears. Here are three questions for you:
1. Do I wish I had spent more time at the office? At work, the warehouse, the shop, at my business, on the job, in that building where I had to go every day to make a living?
2. What do I remember most fondly about my life? Who was I with, what was I doing, where did I travel, what place did I enjoy being most? What and whom were the loves of my life?
3. If I do just have 7-10 days left, of all the places I traveled where would I like to visit a final time?
Time to change something? After doing The Deathbed Exercise, be thankful it was ONLY an exercise. It was just a snapshot − an inventory − of where you are today. Starting today, you can make changes. Because today, each of us has the gift of time. We don't know how much time, but we have that gift.
Your answers aren't for others to judge, just yourself. For me, though, I always thought my big brother John had it right in the motto he wrote in his 1957 PHS yearbook photo: "We should use things and love people, instead of using people and loving things."
Today's quote:"Regrets, I've had a few. But then again, too few to mention." - Frank Sinatra, "My Way," recorded December 30, 1968. Lyrics by Paul Anka.
Next time: Get ready. Get set. Run for office!
Variously since 1969, Jim Splaine has been New Hampshire state senator for six years and state representative for 24 years. He was Portsmouth assistant mayor for 12 years, city councilor for 18 years, Police Commission member, and served on the School Board. Contact him at jimsplaineportsmouthNH@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Splaine: What would you do if you only had one week to live?
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Angel Reese's style secret is versatility
Angel Reese's style secret is versatility

Fast Company

time11 hours ago

  • Fast Company

Angel Reese's style secret is versatility

As a forward on the Chicago Sky, Angel Reese is one of the most dominant players in the WNBA, and when she joined us to speak about being named to our Best Dressed in Business, she'd just broken league records by closing her fourth consecutive game with 15+ rebounds. (When critics panned her for 'mebounding,' she trademarked it.) It all embodies how Reese's draft class did more than add fresh competition to the league when it arrived with a splash in 2024. It awakened the spectacle of the sport, celebrating the uniqueness of players who broke free from their uniforms with expressive, pregame tunnel walks—a critical piece in increasing sponsors 19% that year and viewership by 170%. 'A lot of the women already had the fashion, and I think the platform really helped them,' says Reese. 'I think coming to the league with all the eyes that we had, it really shined a light on them and gave them the flowers that they deserve.' Long before she joined the Met Gala host committee or had partnerships with Good American and Reebok (her signature Reese 1, inspired by diamonds, was announced this month), Reese earned the nickname Bayou Barbie for her glam perspective, even on the court, which was part of her game as long as she remembers. 'I always had my hair done, and my nails were painted,' she recalls. 'My grandma used to put mascara on my lashes, and she brushed my hair up nicely. It was always 'dress to impress.'' Reese's passion for fashion was spurred on through her mother's closet, from which she'd steal bags and heels, the latter of which felt tricky for her 6' 3' frame. 'I think it took me a while to feel confident in heels, going out, because I was already so tall,' she says. 'But once I got older and seeing how much I stood out, it made me feel, like, super confident and bold.' That boldness is a throughline of her 'fits—and perhaps the only one she cares much about. When I mention her silhouettes tend to embrace high waists and crop tops, she shrugs off any trends you might see, and insists she wants to have the opposite of any signature look. 'Sometimes I'll go streetwear. Sometimes I'll go super girly,' she says. 'I don't really identify myself as dressing one type of way. [Though] I am into high fashion for sure. So you probably see me with a nice bag, nice pair of glasses.' Describe your style in a sentence. I am versatile. What's the one piece in your closet you'll never get rid of? I think my bags. I've created a collection of bags, when I see it, I need it, I have it. I'm in collector mode, in my vintage era. I just got this double flap Chanel bag, it's orange, and I love it. How long does it take you to get dressed in the morning? If I'm only going to practice, it doesn't take me long. But when I'm getting ready for a game? An hour, for sure. What do you wear to a big meeting? I don't really have meetings [laughs]. Most of these things are on Zoom these days. I don't want to meet people or go to their office. What's the best piece of fashion advice you've ever gotten? Be confident in your skin. Law Roach kind of told me before, don't care what anybody else has to say. Like, as long as you're confident in it and you feel good in it. It's aura. You have to have aura.

Nurses and Podiatrists Love These Brooks Sneakers That Keep Me Pain-free on 25K Step Days—and They're on Sale
Nurses and Podiatrists Love These Brooks Sneakers That Keep Me Pain-free on 25K Step Days—and They're on Sale

Travel + Leisure

time11 hours ago

  • Travel + Leisure

Nurses and Podiatrists Love These Brooks Sneakers That Keep Me Pain-free on 25K Step Days—and They're on Sale

As a shopping editor, I'm always game to test new brands or try out a trending product, but in all honesty, I'm one of those people who likes to repurchase the same thing over and over again. What can I say? I'm a brand loyalist—when I find a protein powder, pair of jeans, or scented candle I like, I'll buy it time and time again, making sure that I'll never have to live a single day without my tried-and-true favorites. And it just so happens that my beloved, go-to pair of comfy walking shoes is on sale right now. The Brooks Glycerin Stealthfit 21 running shoe—a cloud-like sneaker that I've explored countless new cities in—is marked down up to 36 percent off at Amazon. Constructed with a thick, plush layer of DNA Loft v3 cushioning, a flat, stretchy knit upper, and a stabilizing GuideRails support system, the Brooks Glycerin Stealthfit 21 is my holy grail walking sneaker. These lightweight walking shoes truly feel like 'walking on clouds' and kept my wide, plantar fasciitis-prone feet comfortable on multiple trips, including one Disney World visit that had me clocking over 25,000 steps on a daily basis. Trust me when I tell you that I ran my first pair of Brooks running shoes into the ground. For well over a year, these comfy walking shoes became my go-to for catching flights, running errands, working out, and clocking thousands of steps across New York City. In fact, I only retired them because I had completely worn down the bottom of the soles—rest assured, though, that I quickly replaced them with the latest version, the Glycerin Stealthfit 22. As someone who's always on the go—and has a patience level comparable to that of a small child—I love that I can slip in and out of my Brooks Glycerin Stealthfit 21 running shoes without untying them, thanks to their stretchy, sock-like opening and elastic laces. While the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has begun rolling back its shoes-off policy at security checkpoints, this ability to whip them off and on in seconds is still majorly convenient for travel. I'm able to sneakily slip them off on the plane when my feet swell up, and they don't slow me down when I have to get dressed quickly for an early morning excursion. They're also incredibly lightweight, weighing in at just 8.3 ounces (roughly half of a pound). This, combined with their stretchy knit upper that doesn't dent when crushed, makes them great for packing. Unsurprisingly, I'm not the only person who's completely obsessed with this model. Hundreds of Amazon shoppers took to the review section in order to sing their praises of the Glycerin Stealthfit 21. One shopper even compared them to their On Cloud running shoes, writing that these Brooks shoes are 'way more comfortable' despite costing half the price. 'As a runner and mom on her feet all day with a young toddler at home, I needed a supportive and durable running shoe,' wrote another reviewer. 'This is that shoe! I used this for my training runs as well as longer 10-20 mile runs and my feet were never sore or left feeling achy and swollen.' Plenty of nurses who spend all day on their feet chimed in to say how much they love them for hours-long shifts. 'These are the most comfortable shoes I have bought in the last year or longer,' wrote one such nurse. 'I am on my feet a lot as a nurse and busy mom, and these Brooks have saved my sore feet. 'I am [a] nurse and on my feet all day,' shared another five-star reviewer. 'These provide cushion and support for good posture, and I do not have back pain or leg cramps after a long day.' I'm happy to report that podiatrists love them, too. The Brooks Glycerin Stealthfit 21 has earned the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance for promoting good foot health. 'My podiatrist recommended Brooks shoes for my feet when I had plantar fasciitis, so I have chosen Brooks for the last five years and am very happy with them,' wrote one five-star reviewer, calling them both comfortable and attractive. Previously $160, the Brooks Glycerin Stealthfit 21 running shoe is on sale in both men's and women's sizes, up to 36 percent off in some colorways. The Glycerin Stealthfit 21 isn't the only Brooks running shoe on sale at Amazon, though. Keep scrolling for more styles on sale, including the Ghost 16, Adrenaline GTS 23, and Revel 7 starting at $85. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.

Salehe Bembury dresses with ‘cartoon character consistency'
Salehe Bembury dresses with ‘cartoon character consistency'

Fast Company

time11 hours ago

  • Fast Company

Salehe Bembury dresses with ‘cartoon character consistency'

Today, Salehe Bembury is one of the most in-demand designers in sneakers, who has collaborated with brands including New Balance, Crocs, Versace, Moncler, and Vans. With an aesthetic rooted in a combination of an outdoor lifestyle and funky, organic shapes, Bembury has reimagined streetwear as something as biological as it is mechanical. But it's almost impossible to centrifuge Bembury's fashion aesthetic from his own brand, and that's in part by design and what it means to be a creative in the era of social media. 'We're all kind of like cartoon characters in this space . . . we're all just like kids in high school in the hallway, comparing outfits and competing and all that shit,' Bembury says ahead of the release of his first career retrospective. 'It's like, fucking Bart Simpson or Doug Funnie opening up their closet and seeing all blue shorts and orange T-shirts. So I would say that that's what exists with my current selection of clothing, is that it just all fits within this cartoon character consistency.' Bembury says his fashion sense was originally born from mimicry—Nike ads and other influences that informed his style. But as he grew older, he learned, as we all do, what works on his body—and he began considering his own signature look. Roughly a decade ago, he started carrying a wooden briefcase everywhere he went. 'That was me shouting 'I'm an individual!'' he laughs. Beanies, too, were almost always in the mix. But a move to L.A. led him to ditch the beanie, and an evolving aesthetic led him to retire the briefcase. His personal style became grounded in comfort, wearing high cinched Satoshi Nakamoto pants most days, any matter of tee, and maybe a Boro stitch (Japanese repaired denim) jacket up top. Handkerchiefs, a cycling cap, and wraparound shades often complete the look. Grounding it all is an anchor in comfort. 'Take it back to childhood, I just remember what it felt like to go to church, and I hated that feeling, and I also thought that that feeling was representative of what it meant to have a job,' says Bembury. 'Entering the professional space . . . when I first got a job at Cole Haan, and like, what I was wearing back then. It was in an effort to try to hold on to some level of individuality, but then also be a working professional. I'd wear a plaid button down and Dickies. Is that professional? I'm not really sure, but like, that was my attempt at it.' Now, Bembury has evolved from wearing Uniqlo, to tailored off-the-shelf garments, to more bespoke pieces. 'That comes down to a combination of education and resources,' he says. And while he knows that's a privilege, he does wish to remind the public that they don't need to settle for the fit off-the-rack. 'Actually, I get a lot of messages where people are simply curious how I get my pants like that. I think that's also displaying maybe just a lack of understanding of simple tailoring,' he says. 'I don't even think a lot of people see that even as an option. But if you just taper these pants or crop them, they become a different pant!' Describe your style in a sentence. Comfortable, utilitarian, with a dash of Japan. What's the one piece in your closet you'll never get rid of? Proleta re Art made me a boro fabric North Face Supreme jacket. A$AP Rocky has a quote, 'we don't rock clothes, we rock pieces.' And that is a piece. How long does it take you to get dressed in the morning? Not long (a few minutes). The longest investments may be around Paris Fashion Week. What do you wear to a big meeting? It doesn't change. What's the best piece of fashion advice you've ever gotten? It's probably the most said one, but it's just like, 'the best version of yourself you can be is yourself.' With the uniform that I've achieved, and with what I wear, it is myself to the fullest.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store